Solid-liquid separator

Abstract

A solid-liquid separator for separating a solid phase from a liquid phase in a solid-liquid mixture is provided. The solid-liquid separator includes a basket and filter assembly housed coaxially within a tank such that when the basket and filter assembly rotates the liquid phase moves through the filter of the basket and filter assembly into the tank and is discharged from the solid-liquid separator. The solid phase is retained on the filter of the basket and filter assembly and travels vertically up the filter of the basket and filter assembly where it is discharged from the solid-liquid separator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A solid-liquid separator for separating a solid phase in a solid-liquid mixture, comprising:
 a leg and tank assembly, comprising a tank; 
 a basket and filter assembly housed coaxially about an upright axis within the tank, wherein the basket and filter assembly comprises a filter providing filtration of the solid-liquid mixture and a basket bottom wall; 
 a wiper assembly housed coaxially about the upright axis within the basket and filter assembly, wherein the wiper assembly comprises wiper blades and a cone that facilitate separation of the solid phase and liquid phase, and wherein the cone has a cone axis that is coaxial with the upright axis and directs the solid-liquid mixture downward along the basket bottom wall of the basket and filter assembly toward the filter; and 
 a spindle assembly for controlling separate rotation of the basket and filter assembly and the wiper assembly about the upright axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the leg and tank assembly further comprises at least one leg. 
     
     
       3. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the tank comprises an upper end, a side wall, and a tank bottom wall that form a vessel comprising a void space for collecting the liquid phase. 
     
     
       4. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a membrane liner. 
     
     
       5. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the wiper blades are constructed and arranged to facilitate movement of the solid phase vertically up the filter of the basket and filter assembly and movement of the liquid phase through the filter. 
     
     
       6. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 3 , wherein the tank further comprises a primary liquid discharge outlet extending exterior to the side wall. 
     
     
       7. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 6 , wherein the tank further comprises a secondary liquid discharge outlet extending exterior to the side wall. 
     
     
       8. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 7 , wherein the secondary liquid discharge outlet extends exterior to the side wall above the primary liquid discharge outlet. 
     
     
       9. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 8 , wherein the secondary liquid discharge outlet extends exterior to the side wall initially horizontally, then bends 90 degrees downward to connect with the primary liquid discharge outlet. 
     
     
       10. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 3 , further comprising a contour tank that surrounds and merges with the upper end of the tank. 
     
     
       11. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 10 , wherein the contour tank comprises a solid discharge outlet. 
     
     
       12. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 11 , wherein the basket and filter assembly further comprises a plurality of scrapers that are enclosed by the contour tank and that are constructed and arranged to push solids toward the solid discharge outlet. 
     
     
       13. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 3 , further comprising a tank cover assembly that seals the upper end of the tank. 
     
     
       14. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 13 , wherein the tank cover assembly comprises:
 a vent cover assembly, comprising air vents; and 
 a tank cover, comprising cutouts. 
 
     
     
       15. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 14 , wherein the vent cover assembly is constructed and arranged to be rotated relative to the tank cover so that the air vents may be partially opened, closed, or aligned with the cutouts. 
     
     
       16. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 14 , wherein the tank cover assembly further comprises an inlet at the top of the tank cover assembly. 
     
     
       17. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor coupled to the spindle assembly so as to drive the separate rotation of the basket and filter assembly and the wiper assembly about the upright axis. 
     
     
       18. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the wiper assembly rotates at a higher rate than the basket and filter assembly. 
     
     
       19. The solid-liquid separator of  claim 1 , wherein the wiper assembly rotates at a lower rate than the basket and filter assembly.